Soil Management for Sustainable Agriculture:
The Government has highlighted India’s efforts to conserve soil and promote scientific soil management through initiatives such as the Soil Health Card Scheme, National Mission on Natural Farming, Khet Bachao Abhiyan, geospatial soil mapping and digital agriculture platforms.
- Soil supports crop production, sustains ecosystems, and secures rural livelihoods. With more than 46% of India’s workforce engaged in agriculture and allied activities, soil health directly affects farm incomes, food security, and economic stability.
- According to Land Use Statistics 2022–23, India’s total reported area is 306.65 million hectares, of which nearly 59% is under agriculture, highlighting the importance of soil for sustaining productivity and meeting the nutritional needs of a growing population.
- Healthy soil improves crop yields, enhances water and nutrient retention, and reduces dependence on external inputs. Soil conservation is therefore essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Zero Hunger under SDG 2 and Climate Action under SDG 13.
- India has expanded its focus on climate-resilient agriculture, natural farming, soil mapping, land restoration, and digital agricultural technologies to promote the sustainable use of soil resources.
- The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture and the National Mission on Natural Farming encourage resilient, resource-efficient, and environmentally sustainable agricultural practices.
- The scheme provides farmers with soil-testing results and crop-specific nutrient recommendations, enabling balanced fertiliser use and informed soil management.
- Campaigns such as the Khet Bachao Abhiyan are strengthening community participation in soil conservation, balanced fertiliser application, and sustainable farming practices.
